Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the ICC World Cup on 16 June in Manchester.
World Cup 2019: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the ICC World Cup on 16 June. The two teams have shared many bitter-sweet memories and their fans will want to see a cracker of a game - i.e if rain gods allow things to go well.
However, the relationship between the two countries hasn’t gotten any better in fact, after the Pulwama Attacks, it has worsened even more where talks of boycotting their match in Manchester were going on.
Recently, MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain, wore the ‘Balidaan Badge’ on his keeping gloves and that added fuel to the already rising fire.
Amid the glove controversy, it has come to fore that even Pakistan team wanted to celebrate India's wickets in a different way when the two teams would meet.
Here is all you need to know about the 'special' celebration and how it all started.
1. Started with Team India wearing army caps during a ODI against Australia at Ranchi in March
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In a touching gesture, Team India sported camouflage caps during the Ranchi ODI against Australia as a mark of respect for the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama terrorist attack.
The gesture also was meant to encourage countrymen to donate to the National Defence Fund for taking care of the education of the dependents of the martyrs.
Indian cricketers also donated their match fee to the National Defence Fund. A playing XI member gets Rs 8 lakh as match fees per game in ODIs and the reserve players get half that amount.
A top official of the Board made it clear that it was a one-off gesture and rejected media reports that this could become an annual practice.
However, Pakistan had raised a strong objection, saying the Indian team was deviating from the sport. The ICC officials cleared the air saying that the BCCI had sought the permission for the same.
2. MS Dhoni wore the ‘Balidaan Badge’ on his keeping gloves
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The thing that blew the matter out of proportion was after former Indian captain MS Dhoni wore the ‘Balidaan Badge’ on his keeping gloves.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had, however, requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get rid of the "Balidaan Badge" which Dhoni was seen sporting during India's World Cup opener against South Africa.
Following this, the BCCI requested the world sport governing body to allow Dhoni to sport the Army insignia, but ICC turned down the offer.
ICC had said in a statement, "The regulations for ICC events do not permit any individual message or logo to be displayed on any items of clothing or equipment. In addition to this, the logo also breaches the regulations in relation to what is permitted on wicketkeeper gloves."
The rule-book allows for only one sponsor's logo on the wicket-keeping gloves. In Dhoni's case, he already sports an SG logo on his gloves.
3. Pakistani players wanted to celebrate India’s wickets in a ‘special’ way
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Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and his team wanted to celebrate India's wickets in a 'special' way in retaliation to the Men in Blue wearing army caps during an ODI against Australia in March.
The team had to issue a statement negating media reports that Pakistani players were planning to wear camouflage military caps during the match against India.
Talat Ali, Pakistan’s team manager - who’s a former international cricketer as well - rubbished all the reports. The 69-year-old mentioned that the Pakistan cricketers didn’t have any plans of celebrating differently in the first place itself.
Ali also said that the match versus India is just another game and they don’t wish to dilute the sanctity of the sport by involving politics.
"Prime Minister Khan has clearly conveyed to the players that they must enjoy the game and not indulge in over show of political diplomacy or aggression. He is clear that sport should not blend with politics, hence there will not be anything like what the Indian cricket team did recently,” Ali said.
4. 'Will follow the guideline given to us by the PCB'
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“No such instructions have been issued to the players. The players met with Imran Khan at Bani Gala before flying to London. After that the Prime Minister has had no contact with the players,” Ali was quoted as saying in Indian Express.
“We follow the guideline given to us by the Pakistan Cricket Board and for us, the match against India is just like against any other team. Obviously, it is a high-profile match but we just focus on cricket and don’t have any politics in our mind,” Ali said.
“…we have no special plans for the match. As far as the cricket is concerned chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and head coach Mickey Arthur are discussing strategy and team for the important match. But our players will only focus on playing good cricket,” Ali added.
